{"id":659187,"date":"2019-07-18T12:57:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T12:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"
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East A"},"modified":"2019-07-18T12:57:04","modified_gmt":"2019-07-18T12:57:04","slug":"east-africans-question-lack-of-representation-on-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2019\/07\/18\/east-africans-question-lack-of-representation-on-new-album\/","title":{"rendered":"East Africans question lack of representation on new album"},"content":{"rendered":"

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East Africans are complaining on social media that Beyonc\u00e9 is not featuring any Swahili-speaking artists on her album to accompany the Lion King remake.<\/p>\n

The tracklist was released on Wednesday and the album will be available from Friday, to coincide with the release of the Disney film. It reads like a who\u2019s who of top African musicians \u2013 but most are from Nigeria.<\/p>\n

The Lion King features characters with Swahili names, including the protagonist Simba (meaning lion), so people in East Africa are wondering where the Swahili speakers are in the music.<\/p>\n

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A Lion King album should atleast ft a Kenyan artist. Movie inspired by the Kenyan safari, Swahili names, Simba, Rafiki, Shenzi etc n above all the Kenyan phrase HAKUNA MATATA. One might be forgiven to think nigerians speak swahili lol @Beyonce<\/a> @Trevornoah<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wJiK2rhb7L<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 rejay (@rejay88) July 17, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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It\u2019s worse that @disneylionking<\/a> uses Swahili..but what is even worse is that you didn\u2019t feature any artist that speakes the language. Africa is more than just Nigeria it has 57 counties FYI\u2026#Beyonce<\/a> #sautisol<\/a> #LionKing2019<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/wSEyhGQwJi<\/p>\n

\u2014 Nafrepblik (@nafreblik) July 17, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s new song, Spirit, has attracted particular criticism as tweeters say the Swahili in the song is not sung in an authentic way.<\/p>\n

The song opens with Swahili lyrics.<\/p>\n

\u201cUishi kwa mda mrefu mfalme,\u201d a voice chants twice, with a deeper voice responding\u201duishi kwa\u201d.<\/p>\n

The phrase means: \u201cLong live the king.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some have suggested East African artists who might have done a better job:<\/p>\n

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Magical Kenya ?? very visible over here.
But I think Sauti Sol would have done some justice to Lion King track with Beyonce. Imagine them singing that swahili opening part. pic.twitter.com\/OE3b4u83iG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Honest Kenyan (@KenyanHonest) July 17, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Others are saying this has not included everyone it should have:<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m a huge Beyonc\u00e9 fan but I\u2019m still gutted there was no inclusivity in the LION KING album. Even with the little Swahili in the film it would have meant a lot to have East African sound. This was purely a west African affair. Once again, we\u2019ve been robbed. Sad!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Serah N Teshna (@SerahTeshna) July 17, 2019<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

This is not the first time that the Lion King has raised the ire of Swahili speakers.<\/p>\n

Last year, some Kenyans took offence when they learned that Disney had\u00a0registered a trademark for the Swahili phrase \u201cHakuna Matata\u201d (which translates as \u201cno worries\u201d) for their merchandise.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n